κήπος
Wordform Details
Translation: garden
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
masculinesingularnominativeIs Dictionary Form: Yes
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: κήπος
Translation: garden; yard; park (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek κῆπος (kêpos) meaning 'garden, orchard'. The word is related to the verb κήπω meaning 'to tend' or 'to care for'. This root appears in English botanical terms like 'topiary' (from Greek topos + kêpos). The concept connects to the English word 'keep' through the shared Indo-European root meaning 'to grasp, hold, tend'. Ancient Greeks distinguished between κῆπος (cultivated garden) and παράδεισος (paradise, enclosed park), with κῆπος emphasizing the practical, tended aspect of gardening.
Mnemonics
- Think 'keep-os' - you keep plants in a garden
- Sounds like 'cape-os' - imagine a superhero's cape flowing through a garden
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Gardens hold special significance in Greek culture, from ancient philosophical gardens like Plato's Academy to modern family vegetable gardens. Many Greek homes have small κήποι for growing herbs, vegetables, and flowers. The term can refer to anything from a small backyard to public parks.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: κήπος (garden) vs κέντρο (center) - similar stress pattern but completely different meanings
Notes: Both are masculine nouns with similar syllable structure but the 'π' vs 'ντ' sound is key
Mnemonic: κήπος has 'π' for 'plants', κέντρο has 'ντ' for 'downtown'